The 2023 Kia Sorento is now available in Malaysia, with a total of three variants for you to choose from. These are namely the 2.5L seven-seater 2WD, the 2.5L six-seater AWD, and the 2.2D six-seater AWD. What we have here are the 2.5L petrol six-seater and the 2.2D diesel six-seater variants of the Kia Sorento.
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For the Kia Sorento in Malaysia, prices start from RM211,498 for the entry-level 2.5L petrol seven-seater 2WD variant. The mid-range 2.5L petrol six-seater AWD variant is priced at RM235,498, while the top-of-the-line 2.2D diesel six-seater AWD variant tops the line at RM255,229.
If you are opting for the six-seater options of the Kia Sorento, you will have the choice between the 2.5L petrol six-seater and 2.2 diesel six-seater variants. With a RM20k price gap setting them apart, which one should you go for? Keep on reading to find out!
To start, the fourth-generation Kia Sorento’s footprint is generally larger than its predecessor as it sits on a slightly longer wheelbase, at 2,815 mm (35 mm longer than before). Dimensions-wise, it measures 4,810 mm long, 1,900 mm wide, and 1,695 mm tall. This makes the 2023 Kia Sorento 50 mm longer, and 10 mm wider and taller than its predecessor.
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On the outside, one word to describe the Sorento is muscular. All variants of the Sorento feature Kia’s latest iteration of the ‘refined boldness’ design ethos, making the SUV not only look tough but also elegant and sporty at the same time. This is not something that can be easily achieved, and we personally think Kia’s design team certainly deserves credit for designing this handsome-looking exterior.
At the front, all variants of the Sorento get many of Kia’s latest design touches, such as the brand’s signature ‘tiger nose’ LED grille, and the ‘tiger eyeline’ LED daytime-running light that is integrated into the frame of the grille. The wide lower air intake, wing-shaped air curtains on the corners, and skid plate-like elements on the bumpers also contribute to the car’s muscular look.
Equipments-wise, automatic dual LED projector headlamps, vertical LED tail lamps, LED fog lights, a smart powered tailgate, and roof rails are all standard equipment on the 2023 Kia Sorento. The petrol seven-seater gets a set of 18-inch wheels, while the six-seaters both get a set of 19-inch alloy wheels.
Under the hood, both the 2.5L variants, as the name suggests, are powered by a 2.5-litre Smartstream inline-four petrol engine. Mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, the petrol engine produces 177 hp and 232 Nm of torque, with power sent to the front wheels only for the seven-seater, while the petrol six-seater variant gets power fed to all four wheels.
The top-of-the-line 2.2D six-seater on the other hand is powered by a 2.2-litre Smartstream turbodiesel engine and is paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, which the Korean carmaker said is designed for ‘smooth shifting’ and ‘enhanced fuel efficiency’. This combo is capable of pushing out 199 hp and 440 Nm of torque, with power sent to all four wheels as well.
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Moving inside, the Sorento features an interior that is much improved, compared to its predecessors. This is thanks to the use of a new striking design and the use of ‘premium-quality materials’, such as metallic trims and embossed wood-effect surfaces.
Standard equipment found in all variants of the 2023 Kia Sorento in Malaysia includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone climate control with rear air conditioning vents and third-row manual controls, and eight-way powered front seats (driver gets additional two-way lumbar support adjustments). Folding second-row seats with remote folding capabilities, a reverse camera, a Mood Lighting System, two USB charging ports for each row of seats, and a wireless charging pad are also among other standard equipment found in the Korean SUV.
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Moving up to the six-seaters, you will also get extra kits on top of the ones mentioned above. This includes a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, head-up display, leather upholstery, second-row sunshades, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and a 360-degree surround-view monitor. Two pieces of equipment that is reserved for the top-of-the-line diesel variant only are the steering-wheel gearshift paddles and a ‘Terrain Mode’ for the drive mode selection.
Safety-wise, the 2023 Kia Sorento in Malaysia is specified with a suite of advanced driver assistance features as standard. This includes High Beam Assist (HBA), Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Avoidance Assist (BCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning support (FCA – JT), Lane Following Assist (LFA), and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop and Go support. On top of the long list of system systems, both the petrol and diesel six-seater variants come with a blind-spot monitoring system as well.
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GALLERY
2.2D 6-seater AWD vs 2.5L 6-seater AWD
2.2D 6-seater AWD
2.5L 6-seater AWD
